Father of Fort Edward boy fatally shot charged with raping young girl

CHAZY, N.Y. (AP) -- Authorities say the father of an upstate New York boy who was fatally shot earlier this year has been arrested on a rape charge.

The Post-Star of Glens Falls reports that state police say 36-year-old Louis Cota of Plattsburgh was arrested Wednesday and charged with having sex with a girl younger than 15. Troopers say the incident occurred in the Clinton County town of Chazy.

Cota's 12-year-old son, Gary Cota, was fatally shot in the family's home in Fort Edward in Washington County on June 5 while he and another boy handled a shotgun. No charges have been filed, but the shooting remains under investigation.

Louis Cota is being held in Clinton County Jail. It couldn't be determined if he had a lawyer.